Kutaisi Airport to Tbilisi Transfer 2026: Bus, Train, Private Car & Prices
Kutaisi International Airport (KUT) is Georgia’s budget gateway — the landing point for most Wizz Air and Ryanair flights from Europe. The catch is that it sits near the small city of Kutaisi in the west of the country, roughly 230 km from Tbilisi, so almost everyone who lands there needs onward transport to the capital. This 2026 guide compares every realistic way to get from Kutaisi Airport to Tbilisi — and to Tbilisi Airport if you have a connecting flight — with honest prices, journey times and tips for late-night arrivals.
Kutaisi Airport to Tbilisi at a glance: your 2026 options
| Option | Price (2026) | Time | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private transfer (OrbiTrip) | from ~300 GEL / ~110 USD per car | ~3.5–4 h door to door | Comfort, groups, luggage, late flights, airport-to-airport |
| Shuttle bus (Georgian Bus / City Bus) | ~20–30 GEL per seat | ~3.5–4 h | Solo budget travellers on a daytime flight |
| Train from Kopitnari station | ~15–30 GEL per seat | ~5–5.5 h + city transfer | Scenic, very cheap, no rush |
| Airport taxi (on the spot) | ~300–380 GEL, negotiate | ~3.5–4 h | Those who did not pre-book |
Distance and the route
Kutaisi Airport is at Kopitnari, about 20 km from Kutaisi city and 230 km from Tbilisi. The whole journey follows the modern Rikoti (E60) highway that links western and eastern Georgia, passing Zestaponi, Khashuri and Gori before reaching the capital. Recent tunnel and bypass upgrades on the Rikoti Pass have shortened the drive to a steady 3.5–4 hours. If your final destination is Tbilisi International Airport (TBS) on the eastern edge of the city, add roughly 20 km and 20–30 minutes.
Option 1: Private transfer (the comfortable choice)
For families, groups and anyone arriving with luggage or a tight connection, a private transfer is by far the least stressful way to reach Tbilisi. Your driver tracks your flight, meets you in the arrivals hall with a name sign, and drives you straight to your hotel door — or to the departures terminal at Tbilisi Airport — in one air-conditioned car with no changes.
| Vehicle | Fixed price (2026) | Seats |
|---|---|---|
| Sedan | from ~300 GEL (~110 USD) | up to 3 passengers |
| Minivan | from ~390 GEL (~145 USD) | up to 6 passengers |
That price is for the whole vehicle, not per person, so three or four people sharing pay about the same as the bus while travelling in far more comfort. You pay the driver directly in cash or by agreement — OrbiTrip takes no commission and never charges your card. The fixed price is confirmed before you travel, so there is no meter and no late-night surprise.
See Kutaisi Airport to Tbilisi prices & drivers
Option 2: Shuttle bus (the budget choice)
Scheduled shuttle buses — run by operators such as Georgian Bus and City Bus Georgia — leave from directly outside the arrivals hall and are timed to the main flights. Tickets cost around 20–30 GEL and the ride to Tbilisi takes about 3.5–4 hours, dropping you at Ortachala bus station or a central stop from where you take a short city taxi or the metro. It is the cheapest door-ish option for a solo traveller on a daytime flight, but buses fill up fast after big arrivals and do not wait for delayed passengers.
Option 3: Train from Kopitnari
A railway station opened at Kopitnari, about 2.5 km from the terminal, with a free shuttle bus from the arrivals hall. East-bound trains that stop there run to Tbilisi in around 5–5.5 hours for roughly 15–30 GEL. It is scenic and very cheap, but slower than the road and it leaves you at Tbilisi’s central railway station, so you still need a metro ride or taxi to your hotel. Best if you are not in a hurry and want to save every lari.
How OrbiTrip works
OrbiTrip is a free platform that connects you directly with licensed Georgian drivers. You see the fixed price for your route up front, choose a vehicle, and the driver meets your flight. There is no booking fee, no commission and no card charge — you simply pay the driver directly when you travel. It is the transparent way to arrange an airport pickup without haggling at the taxi rank.
Practical tips for a smooth arrival
Budget flights often land at Kutaisi late at night or very early — pre-book so a driver is waiting whatever the hour. If you have an onward flight from Tbilisi Airport, leave at least 6–7 hours between landing at KUT and your next check-in to absorb traffic and the Rikoti Pass. Carry some cash in lari for the driver, keep your hotel address handy, and if you are travelling with children ask for child seats when you book.
Kutaisi Airport to Tbilisi: frequently asked questions
How far is Kutaisi Airport from Tbilisi?
Kutaisi International Airport (KUT, at Kopitnari) is about 230 km from central Tbilisi and around 250 km if you continue to Tbilisi International Airport (TBS) on the east side of the city. By road the drive takes roughly 3.5 to 4 hours along the fast Rikoti (E60) highway, a little longer in heavy summer traffic.
What is the cheapest way from Kutaisi Airport to Tbilisi?
The cheapest options are the scheduled shuttle bus (Georgian Bus / City Bus Georgia) at about 20–30 GEL per person, or the train from Kopitnari station at roughly 15–30 GEL. For a group of three or four, a private transfer from about 300 GEL for the whole car works out similar per person and is far more comfortable.
Is there a direct bus from Kutaisi Airport to Tbilisi?
Yes. Scheduled shuttle buses run from directly outside the arrivals hall to Tbilisi (Ortachala bus station and central stops), timed to match the main Wizz Air and Ryanair arrivals. The ride is about 3.5–4 hours. Buy a ticket at the airport desk or online in advance during busy periods.
How do I get from Kutaisi Airport to Tbilisi Airport for a connecting flight?
A door-to-door private transfer is the safest choice for an airport-to-airport connection: one car takes you the full ~250 km in 3.5–4 hours with no changes. There is no direct terminal-to-terminal public link, so if you rely on a bus plus a city taxi allow a generous buffer — at least 6–7 hours between landing and your next check-in.
How much is a private car or taxi from Kutaisi Airport to Tbilisi?
On OrbiTrip a fixed private transfer is from about 300 GEL (~110 USD) for a sedan (up to 3 passengers) and from about 390 GEL (~145 USD) for a minivan (up to 6). The price is for the whole vehicle and you pay the driver directly — there is no OrbiTrip commission.
What if my flight lands late at night?
Many budget flights reach Kutaisi after midnight, when scheduled buses and trains are sparse. A pre-booked private transfer waits for your specific flight and meets you in arrivals whatever the hour, so late 01:00–05:00 landings are no problem — this is the main reason travellers pre-book rather than gamble on a night bus.
Related transfer guides
- Kutaisi Airport transfers hub — every route from KUT in one place.
- Kutaisi to Tbilisi transfer — the city-to-city version of this route.
- Tbilisi to Kutaisi transfer — the return journey explained.
- Tbilisi Airport transfer cost — prices for the capital’s own airport.
- Georgia transfer prices 2026 — the full price list for every route.